Polk County public schools temporarily suspending athletic programs due to pandemic

Effective immediately, all practices and competitions are canceled until Jan. 4, 2021, the county said, after more than 50 student-athletes participating in winter sports tested positive in recent weeks.

Man sentenced to 90 years for non-violent drug offense released, meets grandchildren

Richard DeLisi's sentence is among one of the longest ever handed down for a non-violent crime involving marijuana. But the Polk County man who was serving 90 years is now a free man.

Former Lakeland commissioner, husband memorialized in lakeside ceremony

Former Lakeland city commissioner Edie Yates and her husband, David Henderson, were remembered during an informal ceremony along the Lake Mirror Promenade Monday night.

Dade City assistant principal arrested on DUI, drug possession charges

A Dade City assistant principal was arrested in Polk County on multiple drug possession charges and for DUI, the sheriff's office said Monday.

Father arrested for DUI after November crash that killed 2, including young son

Moises Melo De Leon, 27, is facing charges of DUI manslaughter, DUI serious injury, child neglect and aggravated child neglect after a November crash that killed his five-year-old son, critically injured his eight-year-old son and killed a 70-year-old man.

Winter Haven man killed, 1 critically injured in multi-vehicle crash

Jose Flores, 56, was killed Friday night in a three-vehicle crash near Davenport, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. 

94-year-old found dead following Davenport mobile home fire

Polk County detectives are investigating the death of a 94-year-old woman after her body was found following a fire.

Sheriff Judd: Georgia men responsible for organized retail crime ring targeting Florida, other states

Five Georgia men -- two who remain at-large and one who is now dead -- were at the center of a "brilliant" retail theft ring that targeted 13 states, including stores in Polk County, the sheriff announced Friday.

Woman found dead following Lake Wales fire

A home in Lake Wales caught fire late Thursday night, and after the firefighters battled the flames, officials said they found the body of a woman.

7-year-old Polk County boy chases SUV after driver steals electric scooter

A Polk County 7-year-old is being lifted up by his community after he tried to chase down the thief who stole his brand new electric scooter right out of his driveway.